Calls for Parliament to be moved to Mamelodi

Calls to move the South African Parliament to Mamelodi ramped up this week.

The campaign called “Bring Parliament to Mamelodi” was started by various organisations after the recent fire at the Parliament building in Cape Town.

Sanco Mamelodi zonal secretary Vusi Masemola said housing Parliament in a township that had a rich history on its side would serve as a form of bringing healing to the collective psyche of those adversely affected by Apartheid.

He said a letter had already been sent to the Speaker of Parliament indicating the interest of the people of Mamelodi to have Parliament built in their township.

“Housing the Parliament in Mamelodi will help rehabilitate the township and boost the economy of the township creating jobs opportunities for everyone,” said Masemola.

The 12 different organisations behind the campaign met at the Mamelodi Council Chambers on January 5.

They are Sanco (South African National Civic Organisation), Mamelodi Liquor Association, ANC Youth League, Mamelodi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MACOCI), Mamelodi Interdenominational Evangelical Ministers Fraternal (MIEMF), Coasas, Mamelodi Community Police Forum (CPF), 4 Plus 1 Taxi Association, Mamelodi Zion Ministries & Youth Association, Contralesa, Solomon Mahlangu Foundation and Thandanani Drop Inn Centre including some prominent individuals in Mamelodi.

Masemola said this was not the first time the idea of housing parliament of South Africa in Mamelodi was discussed. It was discussed in 2011 by the Mamelodi activist forum.

“Don’t waste money repairing the damaged parliament, just move it to Mamelodi,” said Masemola.

The stakeholders noted that when Thulas Nxesi was the Minister of Public Works and Baleka Mbete was the Speaker of Parliament, a feasibility study on the relocation of parliament from Cape Town to Tshwane was commissioned.

The number of sites was identified as probable locations to house the parliament of the people from the feasibility study.

“However, during the meeting, we have identified two pieces of land in Mamelodi as probable locations for the parliament of the people.”

The first area is in D6 Mamelodi West stretching from the historic Rondavels to Moretele River towards the east. This is the place that includes the Old Vista University, where Reverend Stanley Mokgoba, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Dr Mathole Motshekga studied.

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The second area is on the left of Pretoria Road/Old Church Street towards Bronkhorstspruit just near Donkerhoek Tollgate.

This area was vacant and was identified by the Department of Human Settlements in Gauteng as an area to build a new city as Mamelodi develops towards the east.

Co-ordinator of Mamelodi stakeholders, Donald Mothoa, said he was disappointed that the recommendation was never implemented as it was a good opportunity to implement it.

“Mamelodi has lots of history and it can attract tourists if parliament can house in Mamelodi. It will boost the economy of Mamelodi, create many jobs for the locals and put Mamelodi back on the map,” said Mothoa.

“We call on the government to stop wasting money on repairing the parliament and bring the Parliament to a historic township,” he said.

“Mamelodi is a liberation heritage route. The remains of the second president of the ANC, Reverand Sefako Makgatho will forever remain buried in Mamelodi West Cemetery which also houses the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania Monument.”

Parliament spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo said they were not aware of the letter.

However, the seat of Parliament would remain in Cape Town as stipulated in the Constitution.

“We appreciate ongoing debate on this matter, as Parliament belongs to the people and it is natural that they would have interest in it and where it is located,” said Mothapo.

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